Vehicle and accessory therefor



Feb. 9, 1937. w, c 2,069,970

VEHICLE AND ACCESSORY THEREFOR Filed NOV. 25, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. WM 4. M

y 7 A TTORNEYS.

Feb. 9, 1937.

w. A. RICHTER 2,069,970

VEHICLE AND ACCESSORY THEREFOR Filed Nov. 25, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i 796 INVENTOR.

L\ 159 BY V (ZTTORNEY Patented Feb. 9, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

This invention relates to vehicles and accessories therefor, and is particularly directed to an automobile theft alarm or signal apparatus and the like devices.

An object of this invention is to provide a theft alarm system for vehicles in which the alarm can be actuated only after the operator has gotten off his seat and one of the doors has been opened, as for instance when the operator has gotten out of the car either from the left or right side thereof, provision being made for preventing actuation of the alarm during the ordinary travel of the car.

A further object of this invention is to provide in a theft alarm system of the character described, means for automatically actuating the alarm upon releasing the emergency or parking brake and means for preventing release of the emergency brake by children, said release requiring considerable strength, hereby the alarm may only be actuated upon release of said brake by an adult, for example, a thief. In accordance with my invention, means is further provided for permitting normal operation of the emergency brake, during the ordinary operation of the car.

A still further object of this invention is to provide means for sounding the alarm upon tilting the automobile, as for instance, when surreptitiousiy towing away the parked car without releasing the emergency brake.

Still another object of this invention is to provide means for preventing actuation of the alarm system even when the operator gets off his seat and opens one of the front doors, as for instance when the operator leaves the car for a short time and does not wish the alarm system to be set.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a theft alarm system of the character described, wherein the ignition switch is actuated by a key, means for automatically projecting the key from the dashboard upon releasing finger pressure therefrom, to prevent the operator from leaving the key remaining on the dashboard, as for instance upon leaving the car, after parking the same, whereby unauthorized starting of 'the car by use of the key will be prevented.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a compact theft alarm apparatus of the character described, which may be housed in a unitary casing mounted on the dashboard and provided with means to permit easy access to the parts thereof for replacement or adjustment, which shall be comparatively inexpensive to manufacture, easy to manipulate and install, positive in operation, and withal practical and efficient to a high degree.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the following claims. I

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown one of the various possible illustrative embodiments of this invention,

Fig. 1 is a wiring diagram illustrating the electrical connections of the theft alarm system embodying my invention; 7

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of structure forming part of the theft alarm system and mounted on a dashboard; j v

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken-on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view take on line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a side, elevational view of the emerline gency brake switch system with parts broken line . ture shown in Fig. 10, but showing the seat down and the switch open and illustrating the position of the parts for preventing closing of the seat switch;

' i Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the seat switch;

Fig. 13 is an elevational end view of the structure shown in Fig. 10; and

Fig. 14 is a perspective, detailed view of the panel release mechanism.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows a wiring diagram illustrating the electrical connections of various parts of the theft alarm system embodying the invention, and the relation thereof to parts-of the automobile, in diagram-- matic form. The system generally comprises an alarm III such as a horn, bell, light or any other suitable audible or visible electrically actuated alarm or Sig al. The alarm l 0 may be connected connected through wiring |9 to a fixed contact 20 mounted on said block 34. To a fixed contact 2|, likewise mounted on said block, and related to contact 20 in the manner hereinafter appearing, is connected, one pole of the usual ignition system 22, by wiring 23, an emergency hand switch 24 being interposed in said wiring 23. The other pole of the ignition system is grounded as at 22a and connected by wiring 25 to a seat switch 26 adapted to be closed in the manner hereinafter described, when the automobile operator gets off his seat. The switch 26 is connected by wiring 26a in series with a pair of switches 21 and 28, the latter switches being connected in multiple with each other by wiring 21a and adapted to be closed upon opening the left and right front doors respectively, of the automobile.

The switches 21 and 28 may be of any suitable construction (not shown) and are connected by wiring 29 in series with the fixed contact 2|. Interposed in the wiring 29 however, is an electromagnetic coil 30 forming part of an electromagnet and adapted to energize the armature 3| of a movable switch member 32 described hereinafter in greater detail.

The member 32 is provided with a comparatively wide metallic strip 33 for the purpose here-v inafter appearing. Mounted on the block 34, is

a fixed contact 35, the'strip-33 being adapted to ing. The fixed contacts 20"and 2| are likewise adapted to be spanned by the strip 33 when the member 32 is in its downmost position. The contacts 35 and 31 are interconnected by wiring 35a and the contact 31 is interconnected to the contact 20 by wiring 3111. Thus, both contacts 35 and 31 are interconnected thru wiring l9 directly to the battery I6.

Mounted-on said block 34 is still another fixed contact 40 disposed between the contacts 2 and 35 so that when the member 32 is in its upward position for connecting said contacts l2 and 35, the contact 40 will also be connected to said pair of contacts. An emergency or auxiliary battery 4| preferably composed of dry cells and mounted in the manner hereinafter appearing, may be connected by wiring 42 to said fixed contact 40 and by wire 43 to the wire l8, whereby when the member 32 is in its upward position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2,'for setting the alarm, the auxiliary battery 4| will be connected in multiple to the battery 6, said auxiliary battery being connected-thru wiring 42, contact 40, strip 33, contact 35 and wiring 35a, 31a and I9 to one pole of the storage battery Hi, the other pole of said storage battery being connected by wiring l1 and 43 to said auxiliary battery. AsahowninFiza2and3Jhemember 32 and the coil 30 are housed within a box or casing 50' adapted to be mounted on the dashboard 5|. The front of the box is adapted to be closed by a panel or door 52, preferably made of glass to permit viewing of the interior of the box, and hinged as at 53 to the top wall 54 of said box. Said door or panel 52 is preferably substantially flush with the dashboard.

Means is provided for moving the member 32 downwardly from the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. To this end a key tumbler 55 is mounted on said panel 52 and extends inwardly therefrom, said tumbler being provided with the usual key opening 56 at the front thereof. A key 51 is adapted to be inserted within the opening 56 for turning a disc or plate 59 counterclockwise (looking at Fig. 2), the disc 59 being provided with a rearwardly extending pin 60 for the purpose hereinafter explained. The member 32 is provided with a projection 6| adapted to be engaged by the pin 60, so that movement of the disc 59 in a counterclockwise direction as shown in Fig. 2 causes downward sliding movement of said member 32. A tension spring 62 serves to normally maintain the member 32 in its upmost position, said spring being tensioned on moving said member 32 downward. For retaining the member 32 in its lowermost position, there is provided a plate spring 63 having a hooked portion 64 adapted to engage a lug 65 formed adjacent the lower end of said member 32. The spring 63 is preferably of suflicient strength to retain the member 32 in its downmost position against the tension of the spring 62.

Means is provided for automatically ejecting the key 51 from the tumbler upon releasing finger pressure on the key after the member 32 has been moved down to its lowermost position. To this end, a curved channel or housing 66 is formed adjacent the'tumbler 55, and mounted within said channel is a small coil compression spring 61 adapted to be compressed upon rotating the disc 59, so that when the finger pressure is released from the key, the compressed spring 61 will'rotate the disc .59 back to the normal position shown in Fig. 2; and when the key 51 is in said position, the same'is adapted to be ejected from the key-hole by means of a coil compression spring 68 attached at one end 68 thereof to the key and disposed about the forward end of said key. Thus the spring 68 is compressed when putting the key into the key-hole, and release of finger pressure will permit the spring 68 to force the key out of the key-hole. The operator is thus prevented from inadvertently leaving the key 51 within the key-hole.

When the member 32 is in the lowermost position thereof the fixed contacts 20, 2| will be spanned by the metal strip 33 and the ignition circuit for the car willthen be closed to permit the car to be operated. One side of, the ignition circuit 22 is obviously connected to one pole of the battery I6 through the switch 24, wire 23, a strip 33 and wire l9, the other pole of the battery being grounded as at |6a as is the other side of the ignition circuit, shown at 22a.

In Fig. 4 there is illustrated the pair of contacts 20 and 2| mounted on the insulating block, 34, the pair of contacts 31 and 36 and the pair of contacts I2 and 35 being similar in construction except that the additional contact 40 is in terposed between the pair of contacts I2 and 35. The block 34 may be provided with a pair of parallel screw threaded openings 10, each receiving a screw threaded member 1| having a nut or head 12 in the outer side thereof, and a reduced screw threaded member I5 extending outwardly therefrom. A nut 16 is screwed on the screw threaded member "I5 for clamping the proper wires to the member II. Extending within each of the openings 10 is a tubular extension 11 projecting from the member "II, slidably receiving a pin 18 therein. Each pin I8 is provided with a flange I9 contacting the end wall 80 of the opening I0. A contact portion 8| projecting from the flange I9 slidably extends through an opening 82 within said block. A spring 83 is interposed between the flange I9 and the member 'II, said spring being compressed upon moving the strip 33 into contact with contact portion BI. This construction permits the member 32 to be moved upwardly and downwardly, and insures a good contact between the strip 33 and the various fixed contacts enumerated above. It will be noted that the strip 33 is insulated by means of a member 85 from the member 32.

When the operator stops the car, pulls the emergency or parking brake lever, gets off the seat and leaves the car by either the left or the right front door thereof, the switch 26 will be closed and either the switch 21 or 28 will be closed, whereby the circuit through the coil 30 will be completed and said coil energized. The circuit through said coil includes wiring 29, contacts 2I and 20 bridged by strip 33, wiring IS, the battery I6, the ground, switch 2! or 28, switch 26 and wiring 25 which is grounded at 22a. When the coil 30 is energized the armature 3| will be drawn upwardly, the member 32 being released from the spring hook 64 and the spring 62 re- .strip 33) taining the member 32 in'its uppermost position. In this position the alarm I is in circuit with the battery I6 and with the auxiliary battery 4| thru contacts I2, 40 and 35 (now bridged by and through the emergency brake switch I3 and the switch I4. Although the alarm circuit is now set, the alarm will not go oil until the emergency brake switch is closed or the switch I4 is closed.

Means is provided for closing the emergency brake switch upon releasing the emergency brake lever 90. The brake lever 90 is pivoted as at '9I. Said lever may be providedsomewhatabove the pivot point thereof, with a pair of outwardly extending bosses 92 and 93. Extending through said bosses is a shaft 94 projecting to one side of the brake lever into an elongated channel shaped housing 95. Said housing 95 is provided with a bottom wall 96, side wall 91 and a top wall 98. Fixed to the bottom wall 96 on the inside of the housing is a pair of conducting strips 99 and I00 separated by an intermediate insulating strip MI. The wire I may be attached to one of the conducting strips 99 and the wire I9 connected to the other of the conducting strips I00. A sleeve member I02 made of insulating material is rotatably mounted on the shaft 94, and at tached to the underside of said sleeve member I02 is a spring member I03 having arms I04 and I05 slidably pressing down against the strips 99, I00, and II.

In the position shown in Fig. 6 it will be noted that the arm I05 contacts the conducting strip 99. whereas the, other arm I00 contacts the insulating strip "II. In this position, the switch I3 is open and the alarm will not go off. However upon moving the brake lever forwardly to release the same, the arm I04 will slide onto the conducting strip I00 for electrically intercon necting conducting strips 99 and I00 and closing the circuit through the brake switch I3.

To prevent the brake lever from being released by children, means is provided to retard movement of the brake lever whereby the same may be moved to release position, only by exertion of considerable force, as for instance, when an adult thief releases the lever to permit him to move the car. To this end, a tubular housing I06, aligned with the brake lever 90 extends forwardly therefrom. A forked strap member I0! is hinged to the shaft 94 at both sides of the bosses 92 and 93, and extending forwardly from said strap portion I0'I is a rod I08 pivoted to a piston I09, slidably mounted within the tubular housing I06 adjacent one end thereof. Said tubular housing is provided with an opening II 0 in the top thereof for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

Mounted in any suitable manner above the opening H0 is an electro-magnetic coil III in which there is slidably mounted an armature II2. At the lower end of the armature II2 there is fixed a disc I I3 transverse to the tubular mem ber I06 and in the downward position of the member II2, illustrated in Fig. 6, the disc H3 is disposed within the tubular member and extends through the opening IIO thereof. A coil compression spring III is fixed at one end II5 thereof, in any suitable manner, to the piston I09. It will now be noted that the lever 90 can only be moved against the pressure of the spring Ill to the released position. The spring is preferably of such dimension as to require an adults strength to move the lever to released position. Thus, children will not be able to release the brake and actuate the alarm. Furthermore, the spring H4 serves to move the lever 90 to the setting position as shown in Fig. 6 upon releasing pressure on said lever. Thus, should a thief move the lever to released position, and upon hearing or seeing the alarm signal, take his hand off the emergency brake, the same will automatically move under the influence of the spring II 4 to the setting position, to prevent further movement of the car. As long as the brake is in released position, the alarm is actuated.

Means is provided for permitting normal operation of the brake lever 90 during the ordinary travel of the car. Thus, during the ordinary travel of the car, the member 32 is in the downmost position, having been moved downwardly by the key 51. The downward movement of the member 32 prior to starting the car will obviously move the strip 33 across the fixed contacts 31 and 38. The contact 38 is connected through wiring IIG, to one side In of the coil III, the other side I I8 of said coil being connected through wiring II9 to a fixed'contact I 20 attached to the tubular housing I06 and adapted to be contacted by the disc I I3 when said d sc is in the downward position thereof. A second fixed contact I2I, spaced and normally insulated from contact I20, is likewise fixed to the tubular housing and adapted to be contacted by the disc H3. The contact I2I is connected by wiring I22 and I23 to the wire I! and hence to one side of the battery I Ii, the other side of the battery I6 being connected through wiring I9 and 31a to the contact 31. Thus the circuit through the coil I I I is completed upon moving the member 32 downwardly. By

energizing said coil III, the armature I I2 is attracted upwardly'for moving the disc II3 out of the tubular housing I09 and out of contact with the fixed contacts I20 and HI. A pair of spaced s'pring contacts I and I26 insulated from each other by insulating member I28 are adapted to engage a rounded knob or head I28 at the upper end of said armature II2, when the armature is in the upper position thereof. For retaining the disc H3 in the upper position thereof, there is provided an armature I30 slidably mounted in the direction transverse to the armature II2, the tip I3I of said armature I30 being adapted to engage a notch I32 formed on the knob I29. A coil compression spring I33 serves to press the tip I3I into said notch I32 for preventing downward movement of the disc. An electro-magnetic coil I34 is wound about the armature I30 and one side I36 of said coil is connected by wiring I31 to one of the spring fingers I25; The other side I39 of the coil I34 is connected through wiring I40 to the wire I23 and hence to one side of the battery I6. The other spring finger I26 is connected through wiring I to the wire H6 and hence to the fixed contact 38. Thus with the disc H3 lifted, the lever 90 may be moved forwardly without opposition, the spring II4 merely passing freely to the forward end I of the tubular member I06.

However, when the driver gets off his seat and leaves the car and the member 32 is moved upwardly (as explained above), the contacts 31 and 38 are again bridged by the strip 33 and the circuit through the coil I34 will be closed momentarily by reason of the contact of the knob I29 with the spring finger I25, I26. Upon energizing the coil I34, armature I36 is moved to the left, looking at Fig. 1, against compression spring I33, to release the disc H3 and permit the same to limp downwardly into the tubular housing I06.

A projection I46 is formed at the lower end of the disc I I3 to prevent the disc from moving between theconvolutions of the spring I I4, as for example, should the lever 90 not be pulled to setting position before the driver gets out of the car.

The gravity operated switch I4 constitutes means to prevent the car from being towed away without releasing the brake, as for example, by lifting the front or the rear of the car onto a towing vehicle, and dragging the car with the emergency brake set. To this end, said switch I4 comprises a pendulum-like member I50, pivoted on a knuckle I5I fixed to the rear wall I52 of the box 50, and swingingly depending from said knuckle. Attachedto an intermediate portion of said member I in any suitable manner is a tube I54 extending upwardly and outwardly on both sides of said member I50 and disposed longitudinally of the car. Attached to each of the ends I55 of said tube are a wire! spaced insulated contacts I56 and I51, connected by wires I58 and I59 to the wire I5 and the wire I8, respectively, the contacts I56 and I51 on one side of the tube thus being connected in multiple to the contacts I56, I51 on the other side of the tube. A metal ball I60 is'disposed within the, tube I54 adapted to roll to one side or the other thereof upon tilting the car when the member I50 is fixed. The ball I60 is adapted to electrically interconnect the contacts I56, I51 on one side or the other of the tube depending upon whether the front or rear of the car is tilted.

However, during normal operation of the car the member I50 swings with the car and is therefore normally maintained in vertical position even when the car is' traveling up or down a hill. Means is provided, however, for fixing the member I50 in upright position when the driver stops the car and gets out of said car. Said'means comprises a block I6I fixed at the bottom wall I62 of the box 50 and having the sockets I63, I 64, each receiving a coil compression spring I65. Mounted on'said compression spring I65 and adapted to be slidably moved upwardly by said spring, is a member I61 having a curved serrated surface I68 on the upper face thereof. Atthe lower end of the member I50 there is provided a member I69 having a curved serrated undersurface I10. Thus, when the car is parked and the driver is out of the car, the member 32 is in the upper position thereof, and the member I61 is moved upwardly into contact with the member I69, the serrated surfaces I68 and I10 being interlocked and the member I56 fixed in upright position, no matter at what angle the car happens to be with respect to the horizontal. Should the car thereafter be tilted, either from the front or from the back, as for instance, in attempting to steal the car by towing the same, away without releasing the parking brake, the ball I60 will roll to the front or rear of the tube I54 and close the contacts I56, "I51 and complete the circuit to the alarm I0. During normal operation of the car, however, the member 32 having been moved downwardly by actuation of thekey 51, the member I61 is maintained in a man ner hereinafter described, out of contact from the member I69 to permit member I50 to swing freely about the knuckle I5I. The member I61 is provided with projections I12 to which there are pivoted the forked portions I13 of an arm I15. The rear ends of the forked portions I13 are pivoted as at I16 to brackets I11 fixed within'box 50 -in any suitable manner. The arm I15 is provided with a projection I18 disposed directly beneath the lower end I19 of the member 32, so that upon lowering said member 32 to start the car, the projection I19 engages the projection I18 and pivotally moves the arm I15 about the pivot points I16. This movement causes downward movement of the member I61 against springs I65 for releasing the said member from the member I69. In this position, the member I50 is maintained in constant vertical position and the ball I 60 remains in the center of the tube to prevent actuating the alarm.

The seat switch 26 comprises an insulated member I attached across the top of the seat frame I8I. Fixed to said member I80 are a pair of fixed contacts I82 and pivoted to the rear of the seat I8I and attached to the underside of the seat cushion I80, is a member EM formed of insulating material and provided with a downwardly and outwardly hooked portion I85 adapted to extend down over the front of theseat frame, as shown in Fig. 11. Attached to the underside of the said member I84 is a metal member I86 having a cut out portion I81 and an upwardly curved inner lip portion I88 at the forward end thereof. A coil compression spring I89 mounted on member I80 serves to normally maintain the cushion seat I90 and the member I84 in upwardly inclined position. In said position the member I86 is downwardly curved and the forward edge portion ISI thereof engages and bridges the contacts I82 for closing the switch 26. When the driver is seated on the seat, however, as shown in Fig. 10, the forward portion I9I of the member I86 moves forwardly and slides 05 the contacts I82 which are then disposed within the cutout portion I 81, the switch 26 then being in open position.

Means is provided for retaining the switch 26 in open position even when the driver gets off the seat. as forexample, when desiring to leave the car only for a few minutes and not wishing the alarm to be energized. To this end there is pivoted to the front of the seat, as on spaced bearings I94, a U-shaped member I95 having por- 5 tions I96 extending through suitable openings in said bearings I94, and a handle portion I91 interconnecting said portion I95. Said member I95 is further provided with outwardly extending end portions I98 adapted to contact the hook 10 I85 when said member I95 is swung to theposition shown in Fig. 11, to maintain the member I84 in downward position and the switch 26 open. Thus, before getting off the seat, the driver, if he desires, the alarm not to go off when he leaves 5 the car, need merely grasp the handle I91 and swing the member I95 to the position shown in Fig. 11. Upon returning to the car the driver noticing the handle member I91 projecting above the seat will swing the same back to the position 30 shown in Fig. 13. Thus, upon leaving the car subsequently, as for instance, when parking the 'same, the switch will be automatically closed as described above.

Releasable means is provided for closing the panel 52 of box 50. To this end a loop or eye 200 is fixed to the lower edge 20I of said panel 52. A member 203 is pivotally fixed to a bearing 204 and provided with a hooked end 205 adapted to engage within said loop 200 for re- 39 taining the panel in closed position. Means is' provided for releasing said panel. To this end the member 203 is formed with an upstanding arm 20! to the upper end'of which is connected a link 208. The opposite end of said link 209 is connected to an arm 209 pivoted at the lower end thereof as at 2I0 to the bottom wall I62 of the box 50. For releasing the panel, the key 51 is merely turned in the clockwise direction as shown in Fig. 2, for moving a pin 60a pro- 40 jecting from disc 59, against the upper end of the arm 209. Said pin 60a is thus adapted to pivotally move the arm 209 for moving the link 208 and causing rotation of the member 203 for releasing the hooked end 205 thereof from 45 the loop 200, and permitting the panel 52 to be opened. Continued movement of the disc 59 in clockwise direction will cause pin 60a to engage the underside of the projection SI for liiting the member 32, should the latter not be lifted 50 for any reason by the coil 30.

It will be noted that the auxiliary battery lI may be mounted within the box 50 to permit the same to be viewed by the operator. The emergency switch 24 may also be mounted on the 55 panel 52 in any suitable manner.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use. I

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth, or shown in the accompanying 5 drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In combination with an automobile having an electric alarm, means for actuating said alarm including a switch, an emergency brake and an emergency brake lever connected to said switch for closing the same upon releasing said brake u lever,means for yieldingly opposing release of said lever and means for rendering said opposing means inoperative.

2. In an automobile,,an electrically operable signal device, a circuit or said device, a switch interposed in said circuit, an emergency brake lever having means for closing said switch upon moving saidlever to release position, a spring attached to said lever, a member and means for moving, said member into the path of said spring to yieldingly oppose release of said lever and closing of said switch whereby actuation of said alarm is rendered more difllcult.

3. In an automobile, an electrically operable signal device, a circuit for" said device, a switch interposed in said circuit, 'an emergency brake lever having means for closing said switch upon moving said lever to release position, a spring attached to said lever, a member adapted to be moved into the path of said spring, and means for moving said member into the path of said spring to yieldingly oppose release of said lever and closing of said switch whereby actuation of said alarm is rendered more difllcult.

4. In an automobile, an electrically operable signal device, a circuit for said device, a switch interposed in said circuit, an emergency brake lever having means for closing said switch upon moving said lever to release position, a spring attached to said lever, a member adapted to be moved into the path of said spring, means for moving said member into the path of said spring to yieldingly oppose release of said lever and closing of said switch, and means for automatically moving said member out of the path of said spring.

5. In combination, an automobile, an electric alarm mounted thereon, and means for automatically actuating said alarm upon tilting said automobile, said means including an electric circuit for said alarm, a switch having a movable member interposed in said circuit, a member pivotally mounted at the upper end thereoi on a transverse axis for free swinging movement on said automobile while said automobile is in operation, a second switch interposed in said circuit adapted to be closed by said pivoted member, means for locking said member against pivotal movement, said first switch having means operable by said movable member to release said locking means to permit free swi ging ovement of said member.

6. In combination, an automobile having a dashboard, a housing on said dmhboard, a panel hinged to said housing for closing the same and disposed substantially flush with respect to said dashboard, key actuated switch mechanism, including a key tumbler mounted on said panel, an alarm, means controlled by said mechanism for actuating said alarm, said means including a circuit having a second switch means on said automobile for closing said switch, means for latching said panel to said housing and means associated with said tumbler for unlatching said panel.

7. In combination with an automobile having an electric alarm, means for actuating said alarm including a switch, an emergency brake lever connected to a movable element of said switch for closing the same upon releasing said brake, spring means for yieldingly opposing release of said lever, and means for rendering said opposing means inoperative,

8. In combination, an automobile having an ignition circuit, an electric signal device mounted thereon, an electric circuit for said device, an ignition switch interposed in said circuit and in said ignition circuit, a part of said switch being movable for opening said circuit and closing the ignition circuit of the automobile to permit the same to be operated, a pendulum-like member pivotally mounted on said automobile and adapted for free swinging movement, a second switch on said pivoted member and interposed in said circuit, means for locking said pivoted member against swinging movement, said ignition switch having means to release said locking means to permit the pivoted member to swing freely upon moving said ignition switch to open said first circuit and close the ignition circuit, and means for moving said ignition switch into position for closing said first circuit and opening said. ignition circuit, and to permit said locking means to lock said pivoted member,

9. In combination, an automobile, an electric alarm mounted on the automobile, means for automatically actuating said alarm upon tilting said automobile longitudinally, said means including an electrical circuit for said alarm, a switch having a movable member interposed in said circuit, a member pivoted on said automobile for free swinging movement and normally in vertical position, means for locking said pivoted 'member against pivotal movement, a second switch interposed in said circuit adapted to be closed when said pivoted member is locked against pivotal movement and said automobile is tilted and adapted to remain open when said pivoted member is free to swing and in normal vertical position, said movable switch having means to cooperate with said locking means to release same to permit free swinging movement of said pivoted member.

10. The combination with an automobile, an electrically operated signal device, a source of current and a circuit including said signal and source, a switch in said circuit, means'on said automobile, movable as an incident to the operation thereof, for moving said switch to closed-circuit position, a second switch in said circuit, includinga movable contact member and a magnetic member, a coil for operating said magnetic member, spring means normally holding said members in a position to cause said movable contact member to close said circuit, resilient latch means cooperating with the said members for holding said contact in circuit opening position against the tension of said spring, key operated means for moving said movable members to latching position and freeing them for unlatching operation, and means, automatically operated by the vacating of the drivers seat and the opening of a door, for energizing said coil to operate said members to release them from the latch and move them to circuit-closing position.

WHLIAM A. RICHTER. 

